Portuguese persistance pays off
Sunday 1 January 2006
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Having lost three UEFA European Under-18 Championship finals in a row, Portugal were hoping to go one better in 1993 only to miss out in the group stage. A year on, though, their long wait for the title was ended.
Holders out
Spain were picked as hosts, but the holders England did not even make it to the qualifying play-offs, finishing bottom of a group with France and Romania. Turkey, after a victory and final appearance in consecutive tournaments, missed out unbeaten behind Switzerland, but Portugal eased through, their 10-1 aggregate against Iceland the most emphatic of the play-offs.
Portugal cruise
Portugal were drawn in Group A, and proved dominant. They already led after Matchday 1, beating France 3-1 as Sweden and the Netherlands drew 1-1. The Dutch then overcame France 3-2, Boudewijn Zenden scoring twice either side of a Patrick Kluivert goal before two late French efforts, but Portugal defeated Sweden 2-0 to remain ahead. They needed only a draw with Sweden to reach the final, but won 1-0. However, France's 3-1 win against Sweden ensured the Dutch held on to second place - and qualified for the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Ricken inspires Germany
Hosts Spain began well against Russia with a 4-2 win, Fernando Morientes among the scorers, as Germany - who qualified on penalties against Belgium - beat Belarus 3-0. Germany then slipped up 2-1 against Russia, while Spain defeated Belarus 4-1 to move top. Russia beat Belarus 3-2 in their final game, but knew that would not be enough. At the same time Spain needed only a point against Germany, and indeed with Russia's result a one-goal defeat would have taken the hosts through. But although Morientes cancelled out Mustafa Dogan's first-half goal, Lars Ricken struck on 58 and 73 minutes to take German through by the narrowest of margins. Spain did pip Russia to second.
Final shoot-out
Therefore Russia had to play off with France for fifth place and the remaining World Youth berth, and two unanswered Russian goals took them to Qatar. Spain beat the Dutch 5-2 for bronze, but the final was a closer affair. Frank Gerster gave Germany a half-time lead, but Rui Óscar equalised in the 62nd minute and the game went to penalties - with Portugal prevailing 4-1, banishing the memories of their 1988, 1990 and 1992 final defeats, the second of which was on spot-kicks.
Qatar competition
The next April in Qatar, the Netherlands and Germany fell in the group stage - the Dutch after losing 3-0 to Portugal. Spain beat Russia 4-1 in the quarter-finasls as Portugal squeezed past Australia, but both lost in the last four, Portugal to a last-gasp Brazilian goal and Spain 3-0 to Argentina. Portugal came from two down to beat Spain 3-2 for third place as Argentina won the cup.
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